If life’s a beach, then our area has plenty to choose from. Coming in first place is Big Falls County Park (600 Big Falls Forest Road) in Eau Claire. The sprawling 135-acre county park has waterfalls and rocks, sandy beaches, canoeing and tubing, fishing, and picnic areas with grills. Second place goes to the Lake Wazee Recreation Area (N6302 Brockway Road) in Black River Falls, Jackson County’s newest and largest county park. Lake Wazee is 146 acres in size and is the clearest and deepest inland artificial lake in Wisconsin. Its beach is known for its gorgeous white sand. It also offers scuba diving, fishing, camping, hiking biking, and picnicking. Third place goes to Ray’s Beach on Lake Wissota (18141 County Highway X) in Chippewa Falls. This newly developed area provides a sandy beach, picnic areas, and is handicapped accessible.  –Barbara Arnold